In a surprising move, International superstar Donatas Motiejunas has decided that he needs one more year of experience and seasoning of playing in Europe before taking on the elite level talent of the NBA. Motiejunas, who already has a similar skill set to that of Andrea Bargnani of the Raptors, decided to withdraw even though he was considered a potential lottery pick in the upcoming draft. He cited concerns that NBA GM’s had about his strength going up against the bigger and stronger NBA players. His agent claims that another year of weight training and live game experience oversees should further increase his chances of possibly being a Top 5 selection next year. This past season he played for Benetton Treviso in Italy in a 6th man capacity. The near 7 foot, 220lb scoring forward from Lithuania has also drawn comparisons to arguably the NBA’s best international player ever, Dirk Nowitzki. At only 20 years old and with another year of experience, he should be able to help an NBA squad right away next season.
Motiejunas isn’t the only international prospect to drop out of this year’s draft since nearly a month ago Europe’s top prospect, Jan Vesely, another 7 foot big man with an intriguing upside also withdrew. Vesely also was considered a potential lottery pick for the right team. Recent news of the 3rd best international pick, Kevin Seraphin hurting his knee in a game recently in France may also force him out of the draft as well. Seraphin has been one of the most widely talked about players in the draft in recent weeks after being overshadowed by Motiejunas and Vesely early, and probably would be a mid to late first round selection. Even with the injury, if an NBA team would guarantee him of becoming a 1st round selection with a guaranteed contract, Seraphin would probably remain in the draft.
In the past decade an influx a of European players have come to the NBA with rave reviews. Of course we all know of Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, and Bargnani’s stellar play, but players like Omri Casspi of Sacramento and Roddy Beaubois in Dallas project as great players in the future. Who will be the next European sensation? One thing’s for sure that we will have to wait at least another year to see Ricky Rubio or Donatas Motiejunas wearing the NBA logo on their chest.
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Check out some highlights of Donatas Motiejunas at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
